Politics

Announces Over $1 Million for Sacramento Region

By Mara Lee

WASHINGTON, D.C. (OBSNews.com) Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento) announced that the fiscal year 2011 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Bill, which was approved by the House of Representatives Thursday, includes over $1 million in funding secured by Rep. Matsui for important local transportation and housing development initiatives. Beneficiaries include the County of Sacramento, the City of Sacramento, and My Sister’s House domestic violence shelter.

“The appropriations bill passed by the House will invest significantly in our nation’s infrastructure while also spurring our country’s economic growth,” stated Congresswoman Matsui. “New jobs will be created by this legislation by making our roads safer and our public transit more secure.”

Key Component of ‘Make it in America’ Agenda will Create Jobs, Support Sacramento’s Growing Clean Energy Sector

By Mara Lee

WASHINGTON, D.C. (OBSNews.com) – Today, the House of Representatives passed legislation introduced by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-05), H.R. 5156, the Clean Energy Technology Manufacturing and Export Assistance Act of 2010, which would boost the competiveness of the U.S. clean technology industry in both domestic and international markets. The legislation received bipartisan support and passed by voice vote.

“Providing clean energy entrepreneurs with the tools they need to sell their products in new markets and increase their production will have substantive multiplier effects on our communities and our economy as a whole,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “As part of the Make it in America Agenda, H.R. 5156 will help put families back to work and strengthen America’s manufacturing sector. Investing in American-made technology and products is a clear path to economic recovery, renewed financial stability, and measurable job growth.”

Important Consumer and Safety Protections Put in Place for Americans At Sea

By Mara Lee

WASHINGTON, D.C. (OBSNews.com) - Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) joined President Barack Obama for a White House signing ceremony of H.R. 3360, the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act, legislation introduced by Rep. Matsui. The Congresswoman and the President were joined by Laurie Dishman, a Sacramento, CA resident and a constituent of Rep. Matsui’s, who wrote to her Representative after being sexually assaulted on a cruise ship – and asked for help. After several Congressional hearings which brought to light the gross inadequacies of current safety requirements on cruise ships, Rep. Matsui introduced H.R. 3360 in the House of Representatives. After passing the House and Senate with bipartisan support, the bill was sent to the President for his signature earlier this month.

“The President’s signature on this legislation is a significant milestone for American consumers and the traveling public,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “H.R. 3360 will improve the safety and security of all cruise ship passengers traveling in and out of U.S. waters, and provide common-sense security measures to prevent crimes from occurring – and protections and support for victims and their families if and when they do. I applaud the President for enacting this important legislation and thank the many people who have been such a crucial part of making this bill a reality.”

Speaker Pelosi Joins Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Thompson, Steve Israel and 56 Additional Members In Calling for Immediate Action to Continue Innovative, Successful PACE Program for American Homeowners, Businesses and Municipalities

By Mara Lee

WASHINGTON, D.C. (OBSNews.com) – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) sent a letter with the support of Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Representatives Mike Thompson (D-CA), Steve Israel (D-NY), and 56 additional Members to President Barack Obama urging him to use all of the avenues available to him to reinstate the Property-Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, which has proved to be a successful resource for homeowners and for municipalities that want to reduce their energy consumption. Specifically, the Members requested that the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) immediately publish revised guidelines that would allow PACE financing programs to continue while ensuring that both taxpayer and private mortgage investments are protected.

FHFA recently announced it would no longer allow responsible homeowners to use the PACE program, despite the strong interest counties and consumers across the country have shown in the program, and the strong support for the program from the Department of Energy (DOE), Congress, and others. Accordingly, the 60 signers of today’s letter encourage the President to exercise all of his authority to resolve the uncertainty surrounding the PACE program, especially at a time of continued economic insecurity for millions of American families and businesses.